Here I am again with a new chapter! Hoping that you'll like it! And, for the section with Logan, you have to remember that she secretly likes Tony, and he not-so-secretly liked Tasha for a while.
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Ally's POV
"Okay, let's go from the top," I said to Austin, flipping a page of my songbook. Austin heaved another sigh, "I really need a break, though!"
I rolled my eyes and gave a painful cough that shook my small frame, still recovering from my sore throat and voice loss. "Come on Austin. This might actually help your career – stop being so lazy. The second round of the competition is tomorrow and this song is far from perfect-"
"I know, I know," he interrupted, "it's just that I'm just not feeling it today. I need... some inspiration."
"Since when do you not feel performing?" I enquired. Austin shrugged and fiddled with my pencil. I sighed, closing my songbook, "you know what? I get it. Maybe we should take five." He nodded and grabbed a bottle of water. He took two gulps before I took it from him, "okay, time's up."
"W-what? But Al-ly! I feel so tired."
"From what?" I asked, impatiently, not daring to raise my voice. Unless I want to mess up my vocal chords even more, which I don't. And honestly, what could have made him so tired? All we did so far today was go through our usual class schedule. Tired my foot.
"You're just lazy," I repeated, flipping the pages, "Please Austin, just one more time then we'll be done. And my dad wants me at Sonic Boom in an hour anyway." Austin nodded and we started practising again.
"Wasn't looking for trouble,
But it came looking for me,
I tried to say no, but I can't fight it she was looking lovely,
She kinda reminds me,
Of a girl I know,
This pretty young thing that I got waiting for me back at home,
She's got my engines turning,
This happens every time,
I see a pretty girl and,
I wanna make her mine,
They send my rocket to the sky,
I want them,
But should I go for them,
I'm like Houston,
I think we got a problem
Girls, girls, girls I just can't say no,
Never see them coming I just watch them go
Girls, girls, girls I just can't say no,
Never see them coming I just wa-wa-wa-wa-watch them go,
Take control, making me sweat girl run that show,
It's them girls, girls, girls I just can't say no,
Houston, I think we got a problem," he sang. I stopped playing piano and he sent me a confused look.
"Aren't we going to finish the song?" he asked. I shook my head no and started to pack up my stuff.
"Sorry, I really have to go. But I'll be home super early and Sonya says she's going to be out tonight so I'll see you when I get back," I explained, putting the sling of my messenger bag on my shoulder. Austin nodded, and bent down to give me a kiss.
"See you later," he said to me whilst I made an exit for the music room.
I sent him a wry smile as I looked over my shoulder, "I'll tell Dad you said hey." Austin's face screwed up into something between a grimace and a flash of irritation.
"No, that's okay."
Austin's POV
As soon as Ally left, someone had entered the room. I looked up from my music and raised an eyebrow when he started to curse.
"What's up?" I asked, eyeing this stranger. He was a tall, lean black guy with a guitar case in his hand. I looked at his white shirt, which read 'don't look at my shoes!' in various neon letters. This, of course, made me look down at his feet, which were clad in some suede red sneakers.
He looked at me as if noticing me for the first time, and rubbed the back of his neck, "I asked a girl for directions to where the dorms are and she led me here!"
"Was this girl by any chance really short and have curly black hair?" I asked, smiling a little to myself.
He nodded, "yeah, why?"
"She's just like that. Her name's Trish. And I'm Austin."
He stuck out his hand to me, "Trent."
"So, you play?" I commented, nodding to his guitar case.
"A little bit," he shrugged, "I'm more of a drummer, really, and dancing."
My smile grew, "Seriously?"
"Yeah. I heard you singing on my way here. You sound awesome."
"Thanks," I said, thinking of the song. I wonder why I just didn't feel the inspiration today. I guess I just needed something new. Something new. The phrase repeated itself in my head over and over until I understood what my brain was trying to tell me.
"You sing?" I asked. He shrugged. Taking that as a yes, I dug around in my backpack before producing a slightly crumpled sheet of music and sliding it over to him.
"I'll sing the chorus," I said, walking over to the keyboard. Trent nodded and glued his eyes to the sheet of music. I started playing a catchy beat before belting out the beginning.
"Austin:
And ooh, I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive
And ooh, I can fly, I can fly, I can fly
And ooh, I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive
And I'm loving every second, minute, hour,
Bigger, better, stronger, power
Trent and Austin:
I got that power
I got that power
I got that power
Power, power, power
Trent:
They call me will-A
Stay so cool, I'm chilley
I done made that malley
On my way to that valley
Used to have a piggy bank, but now I got that bigger bank.
Who, who cares what the haters state
They hate on me cause we doing what they can't
I stay on that hussle, I flex that loose to muscle
Hate to bust your bubble
Im on that other level
Imma take it higher and high and high and higher
I stay and buy attire
Keep burning like that fire
Austin:
And ooh, I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive
And ooh, I can fly, I can fly, I can fly
And ooh, I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive
And I'm loving every second, minute, hour,
Bigger, better, stronger, power
Trent and Austin:
I got that power
I got that power
I got that power
Power, power, power
Trent:
Yes, yes, yes y'all feeling funky fresh y'all
Work to be the best y'all
We're good under pressure y'all
Been through all that stress y'all
Get this off my chest y'all
Made it out in project where this project that's progress y'all
I beat it through my mama
I told her when I was younger
That I'ma be that number
One day I'll be that number 1
I take it higher and high and high and higher
I stay and buy attire
Keep burning like that fire
Whatever doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger
So I'ma get stronger
Call me like a veteran, veteran
I lock, lock it down and go again
Call me like a veteran, veteran
I lock, lock it down and go again
Austin:
And ooh, I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive
And ooh, I can fly, I can fly, I can fly
And ooh, I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive
And I'm loving every second, minute, hour,
Bigger, better, stronger, power
Trent and Austin:
I got that power
I got that power
I got that power
Power, power, power
Austin:
And im loving every second, minute, hour
Bigger, better, stronger, power
And im loving every second, minute, hour
Bigger, better, stronger, power."
We both stopped singing while I played the last bars of the song. When I stopped and looked up and Trent and raised my hand for a high five.
"Dude that was awesome," he laughed.
I laughed along, "it was."
"Can I just ask something?" Trent asked, twirling a pair of drumsticks in his right hand. I nodded. "Who's Willy?!"
I laughed, albeit sheepishly, "I just needed something to rhyme, and it just worked! So you're here for music, eh?"
"Yeah, yeah. Today's only my first day."
"Why'd you start so late?"
Trent licked his lips and his smile deflated a little, "I'd rather not talk about it." I nodded. We stood in silence for a few seconds before I thought of Ally, and how psyched she would be about Trent.
"Hey, uh, Trent," I started, "wanna come by my place tonight?"
He thought for a second or so before nodding, "yeah, sure. I'll be there. I just have to go put my stuff in my room first." He put down the music and picked up his guitar case and headed for the door. Then, he stopped abruptly and turned to face me.
"Err; can you help me find it?"
I laughed. Ah, newbies.
Logan's POV
"Knock, knock," someone called. I paused the video game I was currently playing and yelled for them to come in. Third appeared in the doorway, looking a little sheepish.
"Third?" I asked, genuinely surprised, "What're you doing here?"
He shrugged, "I've got a free track and Ross told me you busted your ankle so I came to see if you were alright."
I was currently sitting on my bed with my ankle wrapped up in some bandages and was nestled on a smaller pillow. Around me was a sea of junk food – everything from Pringles to popcorn to chewing gum. Rather than resting like I should be, I was playing the seventh level on this current video game.
"Well, as you can see, I'm doing great," I said through a mouthful of popcorn. Secretly, though, I was touched that he actually cared enough to check up on me. I know this is going to sound ridiculous, but I feel like my insides turned to mush and that a swarm of butterflies replaced my internal organs.
That's so stupid, and cheesy, and lame but so true. Third smiled at me and brushed the junk from my bed to make room for him to sit.
"What're you doing?" I asked suspiciously as he started to lean forward. I was suspicious, but that doesn't mean I wasn't, well, hopeful or excited. I know its so cliché, but I'm really hoping that the first kiss I have (I'm not counting the one I shared with Ross, it still makes me shiver when I think about it) will be with him.
"Relax," he breathed, his hot breath tickling my cheek. I closed my eyes. He was so incredibly close, we were barely a few millimetres apart.
His thumb brushed over my eyelid, and then the warmth disappeared. I opened my eyes slowly to find him looking weirdly at me.
"Why're you closing your eyes?" he asked dubiously. I blushed hotly, "I don't know... I just, you know," I stumbled over my words. Realisation dawned on his face, but I refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing me squirm more than I already was.
"Why were you invading my personal space like that?" I countered. Third only smirked at me.
"You thought I was going to kiss you!" he accused. The blush spread from my cheeks to my neck, making him grin even more. I narrowed my eyes and leaned forward to poke him in the chest with my forefinger. Now way am I letting him win!
"I did not! Why were you invading my personal space?!" I demanded. I tried my hardest to fight off my blush, but instead it stretched up to the tips of my ears as a result of him piercing me with his captivating eyes.
"I don't recall you ever complaining," he smugly retorted.
"You didn't give me enough space to!"
"Sure, Logan, sure. What I recall you doing, though, is," he paused, closing his eyes and puckering up, making exaggerated smooching noises. If any more blood continues to make my face redder than it is already, I swear my blood vessels are going to explode.
"If you're going to continue making me uncomfortable, then just leave," I huffed, crossing my arms. He stopped laughing.
"If I leave then I won't be able to keep an eye on you," he said, as if that explained anything.
"No one asked you to. And I don't need to be watched like a kid," I defended myself. Tony shook his head at me, as if he pitied me, "You're only, what, seventeen? And I, I'm twenty. You're still a minor. Therefore, you do need to be watched like a kid."
I felt myself deflate. So that's why he doesn't like me, eh? Because I'm still a kid in his eyes. I felt my anger dissolve quickly and suddenly felt too humiliated to be around him any longer. I cast my eyes downward and tried my best to act indifferent.
"Third, seriously, please can you leave?" I said, now using a softer tone. I quickly glanced up at him. He didn't seem to understand that I needed him to leave, stat.
"Huh? But why?" he asked, not sounding upset but confused.
I sighed, suddenly feeling like I was now the kid, "I want to take a nap."
"But it's-"
"Tony!" I snapped, glaring at him before looking down again. To busy my hands, I started to carelessly brush everything off my bed and onto the floor. My roommate is probably going to freak when she sees this. If she comes, that is.
I vaguely realised that that's the first time I've ever called him anything but Third. Even before I knew his actual name I called him Third.
"Okay, okay," he accepted the fact, and stood up, brushing his pants. I slid into my covers and pretended to be sleepy. Third sighed, "See you later, then."
I covered my head with my comforter and grunted a goodbye. I remained like that until I heard the door slam closed, signalling that I was alone. I felt tears of embarrassment prick at my eyes, but I squeezed them shut, refusing to cry like the 'kid' I apparently was. Why should I care this much anyway? It's only Third.
Ally's POV
I finished loading up the dishwasher and closed the door with a sigh. Sonya sat at the table, texting away.
The silent and awkward dinner we had to endure only minutes ago was the closest thing to civil that we'd ever been as far as I can remember. Sure, when she glared at me, I glared right back but at least no insults were tossed around. On a normal day with Austin around, thing would be tenser between us three.
Speaking of which, where is that guy? He's never been this late to come home without a valid excuse. He hasn't even called or left a message. For the millionth time that night, I pulled out my phone and checked the time.
"I don't even know why you're obsessing so much," Sonya drawled from her place at the table, "It's not like you're his mother or anything."
I shot her a dirty look, "I have every right to obsess, thanks. So many things could be happening right now – and I wouldn't even know about it!"
Sonya stood up and walked to the fridge, pulling out a root beer. I watched her as she walked. Sonya kind of had this aura about her that annoyed me and made me shiver – and not in a good way. It was like she had this calm but dangerous aura about her. The way she moved so swiftly and stealthily – like a cat; a sly, conniving, evil Cheshire cat. A panther is more like it.
She toyed with a strand of her long, glossy dark hair and eyed me all-evil like with her narrowed eyes. "True. But seriously, what could go wrong? If anything had happened, he'd have called you, wouldn't he? Stop freaking. You act like you're married to him rather than a nineteen year old dating her hot, older boyfriend."
"There's nothing wrong in worrying," I huffed, embarrassed at her comment about me. Am I too uptight? I guess I do act mature for my age but I can't help it. Between Austin and me, someone has to be responsible.
"You're probably right," I agreed, "he's probably just having fun."
Sonya breezed past me, donning a small smirk on her lips. "Yeah. He could be getting distracted by all kinds of fun." They way she said 'fun' made me think of a wide range of variety of possibilities. Sonya noticed my queasy look and smirked, delicately raising her can, "there you go. Maybe you should be worried after all."
"But Austin wouldn't do that to me," I said.
Sonya took a small sip and nodded, "that is correct. But you're missing something else there, my naive little cousin."
"And that is?"
"You may be right about Austin not cheating, but let's face it. There's a lot of competition in this world. And he's an incredibly sexy twenty year old whose younger girlfriend is as plain as vanilla ice cream." I frowned at her words, but she continued, using a tone that is supposed to sound reassuring."
"Said girlfriend acts like a middle aged woman rather than the nineteen year old she actually is, which could get boring – and fast. So one night, the sexy boyfriend stays out later than usual. The girlfriend just sits at home wondering what time he'll be back, and when he does come back, she's going to nag him until his ears bleed. He may as well just put a ring on it since nothing'll change when or if you get married."
Her words stung. I had to take a seat and gather my thoughts. Could everything she said be true? Am I really a teenaged granny rather than an actual teen? Am I boring and uninteresting like she said? My fingers found my boring old brown hair, and I bit my lip. My eyes slid down to my also boring pair of faded jeans.
Yes, I'd outgrown my old trend of floral skirts and brown boots. And somewhere along the line, I stopped wearing my bright coloured jeans or wedges, too. I mean, I still dress like that but not that much anymore. Was I really becoming boring? Or was I just becoming even more boring?
"I'm not boring, Sonya," I spoke up, "if I was, then why hasn't Austin left me yet, huh?"
"I don't know," Sonya shrugged, "tell me, cousin, if he dumped you, would you still write songs for him? It'd be so awkward – especially if he starts dating again. Would your really do that to yourself? Of course you wouldn't. Wouldn't you rather work on building your own career? You made it into that college you go to, which proves you have the potential. And maybe Austin knows that and he doesn't want to jeopardize his work."
"That's... stupid," I muttered, now becoming unsure. But it makes sense, doesn't it? Of course it does.
But he's changed, hasn't he? He has. I'm not about to forget the things he said to me two days ago, after the encounter with his angry ex. And besides, what's a relationship without trust? Plus, I promised myself that I'd stay clear of drama. Sonya was just trying to start some more, as usual. And of course it would end up hurting me in the process. I can't believe I almost fell for her stupid mind games again. I wish she knew how much I felt about the way she played with everyone's mind, as if it were a game.
She needs a taste of her own medicine. And I think Austin will be able to help me on this one. Quickly masking my emotions, I gave Sonya the best insecure look I could.
"You're right, Sonya," I admitted, "It's all me – it's all my fault! No wonder he's probably out somewhere having fun without me! I'm such bore. What will I do without him?" I covered my face with my hands and tried not to crack my mask.
"Aw honey, it's all right. It was expected, after all. Sure, it took a while, but soon this'll all be over," Sonya cooed, her voice dripping with false sympathy. It made me want to rip her hair from her scalp. But the annoying thing is, she'd still somehow find a way to look gorgeous with a head smoother than a watermelon. Grr.
I shoulders started to shake, but not from tears, but from silent laughter. And this whole time I thought I was the gullible one! As the image of a bald Sonya played over and over in my head, it was just so ridiculous and stupid that I just had to laugh. My body shook more violently, and soon tears started to fall from my eyes. Sonya half heartedly patted a spot on my head, which didn't help me at all. If she didn't go soon, I was going to laugh out loud.
"ALLY! I'M HE...whoa!"Austin's voice rang throughout the house, making me wince. Sonya was off in a millisecond, leaving me alone in the kitchen. I heard two pairs of footsteps entering the room, along with Alfie's excited barking.
"Ally, I'd like you to meet-" Austin stopped short when I looked up. He stood with Alfie in his arms, and some guy I'd never met before stood behind him.
"Ally what happened to you? Did Sonya hurt you? Do I have to go upstairs and shove her stilettos into her mouth?" I rolled my eyes, wiping my tears. Only then I noticed that I probably looked like a cheetah because of the black streaks of mascara that ran down my face. I sniffed before laughing once again.
Austin and his friend shared a look, and I heard him ask, "I thought you said Dez was the crazy one?"
"No, no," I panted, trying to catch my breath, "It's just, I have the ultimate revenge plan on Sonya." Austin's eyes twinkled with excitement.
"That's great, Als! Tell me about it later. I want you to meet Trent! He's an awesome musician that just enrolled at our school!"
I stood, "Hi I'm Ally. Nice to meet you, Trent."
He smiled, "You too. So, who's Sonya?"
"Mmhmm, where did you come from, handsome?!" Sonya exclaimed, appearing behind the boys. Austin and I rolled our eyes, but Trent just looked disturbed. "I, uh..? I'm..."
"Incredibly sexy? Yes you are!" she purred. I swear I almost puked in my mouth. Alfie started to growl at Sonya, but she only hissed at him, making him whine and look away. She's so cruel, and to think Trent could actually like her? Please.
"Austin," I whispered as Sonya flirted with Trent, "I think Trent can help us get Sonya."
The only thing is, he's most likely to mess up their plans! There's another chapter, 3k+ words! Yay!
Guys, I've started a new account on FictionPress with the exact same name as me, and I have posted a new story on there, but it's only been one chapter. It's kind of like a trial. So I was hoping you guys could read it and tell me if it's worth continuing! It will be greatly appreciated guys! Thanks!
Sammie :)